Question to Chris Bowen from the ABC’s Tom Lowery.

QUESTION:

The idea of an east coast gas reservation scheme does have a few friends on the progressive side of politics. The Australian Institute has backed the Coalition’s idea, surprising friends for Mr O’Brien. Mr (Senator David) Pocock has advocated for something similar. The Greens have made similar noises. Can you rule out considering an east coast reservation scheme should you be re-elected?

BOWEN:

Thanks Tom, because what we’ve done is I think the closest thing we have to reservation is our policy. The gas code of conduct the opposition oppose. That’s what seen 640 petajoules of gas supply added domestically. The closest thing we have to reservation, not technically a reservation. I think it’s a close thing. My view of Mr O’Brien is offering, based on evidence on the document he released yesterday, an incentive, (is that it is) not a reservation at all. I think the principle there should be enough Australian gas for Australian users is sound. That’s why have taken the decision to introduce the gas code of conduct. It wasn’t easy. It was controversial. Opposition opposef it and Greens are opposed. But we managed to get it through and it has seen 640 petajoules. I think that’s appropriate. But we do need to ensure the right amount of gas for Australian industrial users, in particular, as well as electricity. Industry is what really drives the need and that’s a good thing. So my answer to that would be, in effect, we have tackled that problem with the gas code of conduct.